Pullover towel

ABSTRACT

A pullover towel is provided, including a terrycloth towel having a neckline hole formed in a center thereof. A knit fabric neckline is coupled with the towel about the neckline hole. The pullover towel includes a first, second, and third fabric section, with the third fabric section positioned between the first and second. The neckline is positioned in the third fabric section. The fabric sections and neckline are arranged such that when the pullover towel is worn, the first fabric section is draped over a user&#39;s front torso, the second fabric section is draped over a user&#39;s back torso, the third fabric section is draped over a user&#39;s shoulders, and the neckline is positioned about a user&#39;s neck. Also provided is a method of making a pullover towel, including forming a neckline hole within a towel, and coupling a neckline about the neckline hole.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/826,071 (pending), filed on Mar. 29, 2019, and entitled “Pullover Towel.” The present application is also a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/685,647 (pending), filed on Mar. 29, 2019, and entitled “Pullover Towel.” The entireties of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/826,071 and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/685,647 are incorporated herein by reference and made a part of the present disclosure.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to pullover towels, and to methods of making and using the same.

BACKGROUND

When visiting beaches (or pools), it is typically necessary to carry many items from a vehicle, hotel, or other location to the beach, such as ice chests, heavy beach towels, and other items. Such items are often required to be carried through parking lots and across beaches and other such surfaces, which are often hot. While some items, such as towels, may be draped over the shoulder, such items are susceptible to falling off of the shoulder and onto the ground while walking.

Also, after swimming and other beach or pool related activities have been completed, people generally change out of wet swimming suits and into other clothing items. Unfortunately, the facilities, if any, provided for changing are typically overcrowded, lack privacy, and are often unclean and/or unsanitary. For example, it is not uncommon for a changing room at a beach or pool to have puddles of water on the floors. Such water may be unsanitary.

It would be desirable to reduce the number of items that must be carried by a user when traversing the, often hot, pathway between a first location and a beach or pool, and back again. It would also be desirable to be capable of changing out of a swimsuit while maintaining privacy, without having to use a changing room.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a pullover towel. The pullover towel includes a body. The body includes a towel. A hole is formed through the towel. A neckline is attached to the towel about the hole. The neckline defines a neck opening. The towel and the neckline are arranged such that, when the pullover towel is worn by a user, a first section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's front torso, a second section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's back torso, a third section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's shoulders, the neckline is positioned about the user's neck, and openings are formed between the first and second fabric sections along both sides of the user's torso.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of making a pullover towel. The method includes providing a towel, forming a hole through the towel, and attaching a neckline to the towel about the hole. The neckline defines a neck opening.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a sleeveless and hoodless pullover towel. The pullover towel includes a body that includes a towel. The towel is a single piece of woven fabric. A hole is formed through the towel. A neckline is attached to the towel about the hole. The neckline defines a neck opening. The neckline includes a knit fabric that exhibits a greater elasticity relative to an elasticity of the woven fabric. The towel and the neckline are arranged such that, when the pullover towel is worn by a user, a first section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's front torso, a second section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's back torso, a third section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's shoulders, the neckline is positioned about the user's neck; and openings are formed between the first and second fabric sections along both sides of the user's torso.

Some embodiments of the present disclosure include a kit for making a pullover towel. The kit includes a towel, knit fabric, and instructions for making the pullover towel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of the systems, products, and/or methods of the present disclosure may be understood in greater detail, a more particular description briefly summarized above may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings that form a part of this specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only various exemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the disclosed concepts as it may include other effective embodiments as well.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pullover towel.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pullover towel.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the pullover towel.

FIG. 4 is a first side view of the pullover towel.

FIG. 5 is a second side view of the pullover towel.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the pullover towel.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the pullover towel as worn by a user.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the pullover towel, in a laid-out, flat configuration.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the pullover towel, in a laid-out, flat configuration.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal side view of the pullover towel, in a laid-out, flat configuration.

FIG. 11 is a lateral side view of the pullover towel, in a laid-out, flat configuration.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method of making a pullover towel.

FIGS. 13A-13F depict the pullover towel at various stages during the making of the pullover towel.

Systems, apparatus, and methods according to present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate various exemplary embodiments. Concepts according to the present disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough as well as complete and will fully convey the scope of the various concepts to those skilled in the art and the best and preferred modes of practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include garment towels, and to methods of making and using the same. In some such embodiments, the towels are pullover towels that can be worn by pulling them over a user's head and onto the user's body. For example, the pullover towels may be put on in a similar manner as one would put on a shirt. In certain embodiments, the towel is a beach towel for use at beaches, pools, after showers or baths, or other such locations. However, the pullover towels disclosed herein are not limited to such uses. In some embodiments, the pullover towels disclosed herein are at least partially made of terrycloth, cotton, cotton blend, or other fabric.

Method of Making a Pullover Towel

Some embodiments include methods of making a pullover towel. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of one exemplary method of making a pullover towel, and FIGS. 13A-13F depict a pullover towel at various stages during the making thereof. The pullover towel and the method of making the pullover towel are not limited to the particular examples shown in FIGS. 12 and 13A-13F. Steps of the method may be performed in a different order, additional steps may be added, and some steps may be eliminated, all without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIGS. 12 and 13A-13F, one exemplary method of making a pullover towel will now be described. The method of making the pullover towel, method 10, includes gathering materials for use in making the pullover towel, step 12. The gathering of materials may include, for example, and without limitation, gathering a towel, knit fabric, straight pins, a rotary cutter, paper, a compass, scissors, a pencil, a cutting mat or board, a sewing machine or serger machine, or combinations thereof. During the making of the pullover towel, the compass may be used, in conjunction with the pencil, to create a circle-shaped or substantially circle-shaped piece of paper. The circle-shaped or substantially circle-shaped piece of paper may be subsequently used as a pattern to cut a hole within the towel to form a neckline in the towel, as shown and describe in more detail in FIG. 13D.

FIG. 13A depicts towel 100, which may be gathered for use in making the pullover towel disclosed herein. Towel 100 may be a beach towel made at least partially of terrycloth. Towel 100 is not limited to being a beach towel and may be a towel of various sizes or shapes, depending on the desired size and shape of the resultant pullover towel. While towel 100 is shown as including a patterned fabric, in some embodiments towel 100 is a solid color towel that does not have a pattern.

Method 10 includes folding the towel in half, lengthwise; folding towel 100 in half, widthwise; and identifying a center of towel, step 14. For example, FIG. 13B depicts towel 100 in a folded configuration.

Method 10 includes marking the center of towel with a straight pin, and then opening (unfolding) the towel, widthwise, step 16. For example, FIG. 13C depicts towel 100, unfolded widthwise, and with straight pin 104 inserted therein to mark the center of towel 100.

Method 10 includes centering the circle-shaped or substantially circle-shaped piece of paper with the straight pin, and then using a rotary cutter to cut a hole into the towel to form a neckline in towel, step 18. For example, FIG. 13D shows circle-shaped or substantially circle-shaped piece of paper 108 centered with straight pin 104 over towel 100. A rotary cutter or other device may be used to cut through towel 100 along perimeter 120 of paper 108, while paper 108 is centered with straight pin 104; thereby, forming a hole in towel 100 that is centered or substantially centered in towel 100.

Method 10 includes cutting knit fabric to a required or desired length and width, step 20. For example, a rotary cutter may be used to cut the knit fabric. A cutting mat or board may be used to measure the length and width of the knit fabric. The cut knit fabric may be subsequently used to at least partially form a neckline of the pullover towel.

Method 10 includes sewing the knit fabric to forming a knit neckline, step 22. For example, the cut knit fabric may be folded in half, lengthwise, with the right sides facing in, and sewn along the raw edge using sewing or serging machine to form the knit neckline.

Method 10 includes attaching the knit neckline to the towel, step 24. For example, the method may include folding the width of knit neckline in half, with the right sides facing out, to prepare knit neckline for attachment with the towel. The knit neckline may be positioned within a hole formed in the towel. FIG. 13E depicts towel 100 with hole 124 formed therein, and FIG. 13F depicts knit neckline 122 sewn onto towel 100 to define neck opening 125. Attaching the knit neckline 122 to towel 100 may be accomplished via pinning knit neckline 122 to towel 100 via straight pins. An edge of knit neckline 122 may be pinned to towel 100 at or along the perimeter of hole 124 in towel 100. When attaching knit neckline 122 to towel 100, the seam of knit neckline 122 may be centered at the top such that the seam will be on the backside of the pullover towel once construction of the pullover towel is completed. Attaching the knit neckline 122 may include stretching (gently) an unpinned end of the knit neckline 122 to the end of the hole 124 that is opposite where the knit neckline 122 is pinned. Then, the opposing end of the knit neckline 122 may be pinned to the towel at the opposite end of the hole 124, such that the knit neckline 122 is pinned to towel 100 at two opposing points along the circumference of hole 124. Attaching the knit neckline may include pining remaining sides of knit neckline 122 to towel 100 along the circumference of hole 124. Knit neckline 122 may be pinned to towel 100 via a regular pattern of pins, such as via four pins at four locations. However, knit neckline 122 may be pinned to towel 100 at more or less than four locations. Attaching the knit neckline 122 to the towel 100 may include sewing of knit neckline 122 into place on towel 100. Knit neckline 122 may be sewn in place about hole 124 in towel 100, using sewing or serger machine. Attachment of knit neckline 122 to towel 100 may be reinforced by sewing around the entire neckline of towel 100 (i.e., at or about the circumference of hole 124) at least a second time, such that knit neckline 122 is securely stitched to towel 100. Pullover towel 1000 is shown, in a laid-out configuration, in FIG. 13F.

With the knit neckline attached to the towel, method 10 includes obtaining a pullover towel, step 26. While the steps of making a pullover towel in accordance with the present disclosure are shown and described with reference to FIGS. 12-13F, some such steps may be eliminated and some steps may be added. Furthermore, the steps shown and described with reference to FIGS. 12-13F are not limited to being performed in the exact order as shown and described.

Pullover Towel—Worn

FIGS. 1-6 show pullover towel 1000 as worn by a mannequin 1001, and FIG. 7 shows pullover towel 1000 as worn by a person 1003. Pullover towel 1000 includes towel 100, defining a body of pullover towel 1000. Pullover towel 1000 includes knit neckline 122 attached at the top end 160 of towel 100. Pullover towel 1000 includes opening 161 formed on the bottom end 162 of towel 100. At the sides 164 of pullover towel 1000, the front and back portions of towel 100 are not sewn together, such that pullover towel 1000 has open sides 165. With the sides of pullover towel 1000 open, pullover towel 1000 allows for the passage of air through the towel garment, encouraging drying of both pullover towel 1000 and the wearer of pullover towel 1000, and promoting comfort. Also, with the sides of pullover towel 1000 open, pullover towel 1000 does not restrain the movement of the wearer. Also shown in FIGS. 1-6 are front side 153 draped over the front of the wearer and backside 155 draped over the back of the wearer. With front side 153 and back side 155 not connected along the sides of the user's torso, the front and back sides 153 and 155 form flaps of material draped over the user, and the front and back sides 153 and 155 are free to move relative to one another. That is, the movement of the front side 153 is not restrained by the back side 155, and movement of the back side 155 is not restrained by the front side 153 (with the exception that the front and back sides 153 and 155 are connected at the shoulders of the user when worn).

In some embodiments, knit neckline 122 forms a neckline and neck opening 125. In some embodiments, the knit neckline 122 is a stretchable neckline (e.g., elastic). In some embodiments, the pullover towel 1000 lacks (does not include) a hoodie. As shown in FIG. 6, when a user 1003 extends their arms while wearing the pullover towel 1000, the draping of the pullover towel 1000 over the user 1003 is modified. In some embodiments, the pullover towel 1000 includes only two pieces of fabric, the towel 100 and the knit neckline 122.

In some embodiments, the pullover towel disclosed herein has only a single hole formed through the towel (i.e., the neck opening 125 at the shoulder line of the pullover towel 1000.

In some embodiments, the towel 100 portion of the pullover towel 1000 is formed of or from a single piece of fabric. In some embodiments, the towel 100 is formed of a woven fabric. In some such embodiments, the towel 100 portion of the pullover towel 1000 does not include a knit fabric.

In some embodiments, the knit neckline 122 is formed of a knit fabric. In some such embodiments, the knit neckline 122 does not include a woven fabric. In some embodiments, the knit neckline 122 exhibits a greater elasticity than is exhibited by the towel 100. In some such embodiments, the knit neckline 122 is or includes an elastic fabric. The elasticity the knit neckline 122 provides a user with the ability to pull the pullover towel 1000 over their head for and insert their head through the knit neckline 122, such that the pullover towel 1000 is draped over the user's body, as shown in FIG. 6. The pullover towel 1000 disclosed herein may be used as a towel, robe, or a coverup, for example.

Pullover Towel—Flat

FIGS. 8-11 depict pullover towel 1000 in a laid-out, flat configuration, without a mannequin or person wearing the pullover towel 1000. Longitudinal side edges 1010 of towel 100 define sides 164 of pullover towel 1000, when worn by a user. Lateral side edges 1012 of pullover towel 1000 define bottom end 162 of pullover towel 1000, when worn by a user. On either side of knit neckline 122, a portion of towel 100 defines front 153 and back 155 of pullover towel 1000, when worn. For example, first portion 1016 a may define front 153 of pullover towel 1000, when worn, and second portion 1016 b may define back 155 of pullover towel 1000, when worn. The portion of towel 100 between first and second portions 1016 a and 1016 b, third portion 1016 c, may define the shoulder and neck portions of pullover towel 1000, when worn.

To use the pullover towels disclosed herein, a user may simply pull bottom end 162 over their head and continue pulling down on pullover towel 1000 until their neck passes through neck opening 125 such that knit neckline 122 is positioned about their neck. The user's arms will be free to move, as the sides of towel 100 are not sewn together. As such, when visiting a beach, pool, showering, bathing, or visiting another location where a towel is needed or desired, a user wears the pullover towel disclosed herein rather than having to carry it in their hands or drape it over their shoulders. Furthermore, the pullover towels disclosed herein may be worn about a user while the user is changing clothes (e.g., changing from a bathing suit to another item of clothing), as the pullover towel covers the user's body, providing privacy. Thus, a user may change clothes without having to use a public changing facility and without having to risk being seen by others.

Kit for Making a Pullover Towel

Some embodiments include a kit for making a pullover towel. The kit may be used to make pullover towels in accordance with those shown in FIGS. 1-11, for example. The kit may include instructions for making a pullover towel. For example, the instructions may be in accordance with the method described with reference to FIGS. 12-13F. The kit may include a towel, a piece of knit fabric, and the instructions. In some embodiments, the kit may include other components useful in making the pullover towel. For example, the kit may include thread, needles, a sewing or serger machine, straight pins, a rotary cutter, paper, a compass, scissors, a pencil, a cutting mat or board, a cutting guide, or any combination thereof. The instructions may include text, video, audio, photographs, graphics, or combinations thereof.

Although the present embodiments and advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A pullover towel, the pullover towel comprising: a body, the body comprising a towel; a hole formed through the towel; a neckline attached to the towel about the hole, wherein the neckline defines a neck opening; wherein the towel and the neckline are arranged such that when the pullover towel is worn by a user a first section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's front torso, a second section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's back torso, a third section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's shoulders, the neckline is positioned about the user's neck, and openings are formed between the first and second fabric sections along both sides of the user's torso.
 2. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the pullover towel is sleeveless.
 3. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the pullover towel is hoodless.
 4. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the towel is a single piece of fabric.
 5. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the neckline comprises a knit fabric.
 6. The pullover towel of claim 5, wherein the knit fabric exhibits a greater elasticity relative to an elasticity of the towel.
 7. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the neck opening is positioned in a center of the towel.
 8. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the towel comprises a woven fabric.
 9. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the towel comprises terrycloth, cotton, or a cotton blend.
 10. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the towel is a beach towel.
 11. The pullover towel of claim 1, wherein the pullover towel is a sleeveless and hoodless pullover towel, wherein the towel is a single piece of woven fabric, wherein the neckline comprises a knit fabric exhibiting a greater elasticity relative to an elasticity of the woven fabric.
 12. A method of making a pullover towel, the method comprising: providing a towel; forming a hole through the towel; and attaching a neckline to the towel about the hole, wherein the neckline defines a neck opening.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein forming the hole through the towel comprises: folding the towel in half, lengthwise; folding the towel in half, widthwise; and identifying a center of the towel; marking the center of towel; unfolding the towel widthwise; centering a cutting guide relative to the marked center of the towel; cutting the hole through the towel by cutting the towel along a perimeter of the cutting guide.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein attaching the neckline to the towel includes sewing the neckline to the towel.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the towel and the neckline are arranged such that when the pullover towel is worn by a user a first section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's front torso, a second section of the towel is at least partially draped over the user's back torso, a third section of the towel is at least partially draped over a user's shoulders, the neckline is positioned about the user's neck; and openings are formed between the first and second sections along both sides of the user's torso.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the pullover towel is sleeveless, hoodless, or combinations thereof.
 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the towel is a single piece of woven fabric, and wherein the neckline comprises a knit fabric, wherein the knit fabric exhibits a greater elasticity relative to an elasticity of the woven fabric.
 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the neck opening is positioned in a center of the towel.
 19. A kit for making a pullover towel, the kit comprising: a towel; a knit fabric; and instructions for making the pullover towel.
 20. The kit of claim 19, further comprising thread, a needle, a sewing or serger machine, a straight pin, a rotary cutter, paper, a compass, scissors, a pencil, a cutting mat or board, a cutting guide, or combinations thereof. 